Most of us wish we had a little more disposable income. While it can be fun to live by the rules of work hard, play hard, this usually results in an end of the month struggle and living on basic rations. Thankfully, there are lots of things you can do to save money this spring. Here are some steps you can take to free up a little more of that well-earned cash.
Make Your Own Lunch
If you noted down how much you spent on hot drinks and lunches over the course of a year, you’d probably be horrified, I make the majority of my lunches and maybe buy something every other Friday. Making your own lunch can save you time and money. It’s also usually a much healthier option. You don’t need to be the next Delia to rustle up some delicious lunches. Make your own soups, sandwiches, wraps and salads. If you’re a coffee fiend, stick to instant and make it with a kettle at the office. Over the course of a month, ditching your high street hot drink obsession could save you more than £100!
Shop Around For Better Deals
Do you have insurance policies, which are due for renewal? Have you changed your energy supplier recently? Have you updated your TV and broadband package? Shopping around and using online comparison sites could help you to negotiate a much better deal and save you a significant sum. If you live with others, split the costs of multi bike insurance and television and Internet bundles. Don’t just automatically renew policies. Other providers may offer lower premiums and incentives for new customers.
Walk Or Cycle To Work
Are you guilty of using buses, trains or tubes when you could easily walk to work? If you’re lucky enough to live within a couple of miles of your workplace, why not use your legs to save you money? Take advantage of the lighter evenings and warmer climes and enjoy a daily workout.
Stick To A Budget
If it has been a while since you sat down and worked out a monthly spending budget, now is the time to get organised. Work out your income against your outgoings and set yourself a spending budget.
Cancel Memberships You Don’t Use
Have you signed up for a gym with all the positive intentions in the world and never gone? If your exercise regime has gone to pot or you’d rather just go jogging or exercise at home with a DVD, cancel your membership. There’s no point in paying out every month for a facility that you don’t use. There may be a cancellation fee, but it’s likely to be less than your remaining contract fees. If you want to get active without it costing a lot of money, there are plenty of ways you can get fit for free. Go for a power walk in the park, set up a circuit in your garden or lift weights in your front room.
If you put your mind to it and live a little more frugally, you can save a lot of money in a short space of time. Assess your priorities, make a budget and look at ways you could cut costs. Simple changes can often make a massive difference.
